Graham Platner Withdraws from Maine Senate Race; Democrats to Choose Replacement by July 27

Graham Platner submitted paperwork on Friday to formally withdraw from Maine’s U.S. Senate race. The Maine secretary of state’s office received the documents and updated its online withdrawal list the same day.

Platner announced on Wednesday that he would quit the race after facing an allegation of sexual assault that he has denied. Campaign flyers remained visible at his headquarters in Ellsworth on Thursday. Maine law allows Democrats to replace him before the general election, with the new nominee required by July 27.

More than 100 state Democratic Party committee members approved plans for a nominating convention shortly before Platner’s Wednesday announcement. The party has not released details on when the convention will occur, and officials did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. Several candidates announced runs for the Democratic nomination this week.

They include former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban, former 2nd Congressional District candidates Jordan Wood and Paige Loud, and former Maine Senate candidates David Costello and Andrea LaFlamme.

State Rep. Valli Geiger has expressed interest but has not formally announced.

Platner appeared with Sen. Bernie Sanders at an event in Orono on May 24.